The latest Great West Way Travel Magazine edition is here!
November 30, 2022
Top 10 Family Attractions
in and Around Bath
Bath is known for being one of the most romantic and historic destinations in England, and an ideal destination for couples and lovers of all culture, literature, and history. However, this extraordinary, UNESCO World Heritage city is also the ideal destination for families. Here are the Top 10 things you can do in and around Bath with your family.
Beauford Square in Bath
1. Visit the Roman Baths
A UNESCO World Heritage Site within a UNESCO World Heritage City, the incredibly well-preserved ancient Roman Baths were the grandest in northern Europe and due to being lost for one and a half millennia, are incredibly well preserved. The attraction makes the most of audio guides (with kid and adult versions available) and visual aids such as holographic video recreations, and walks visitors through the extensive subterranean remains in a way that allows visitors to see everything, and stop only as much as they wish to and hear about the things they’re interested in. The Roman Baths are simply a must-see and one of the most attractions in the entire UK!
Roman Baths
2. Enjoy Bath's Parks, Festivals, and Events
Bath has many beautiful parks such as Royal Victoria Park, Alexandra Park and Henrietta Park, that provide a great opportunity for families to relax and enjoy the outdoors. They are also popular spots for picnics, walks, and bike rides, and in the summer, there is a plethora of festivals and events, such as the Bath Festival in May, the Children’s Literature Festival in late September, and of course, the Jane Austen festival in early September. Victoria Park, Bath’s main park, also has a large adventure playground in its south-west corner, a miniature golf course in the south-east corner, close to town as well as a woodland trail and a botanical garden in its upper, north-west, corner, and, for slightly older children, an adventure golf course just across the road to the north. To find out what's going on at the time you visit, check out this page.
Victoria Park in Bath
3. Spend a Day Enjoying a Grand Estate
Surrounding Bath are numerous grand houses that are open to the public and feature incredible estates and gardens or other attractions.
- The picturesque Baroque Dyrham Park (a National Trust property and open to the public) lies just north of Bath on the edge of the Cotswolds and its sculpted, undulating grounds make for a great walk with the family, offering views over nearby Bristol, and beyond, to the Welsh mountains. The house is also open to the public and filled with the kind of furniture, paintings and possessions one would expect of a wealthy family in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Dryham Park
- East of Bath lies another fabulous National Trust property; Lacock and Lacock Abbey. This grand house and adjacent village were donated to the National Trust in the mid-20th Century by the last private owner, Matilda Gilchrist-Clark. The Abbey was, as its name suggests, originally a nunnery founded in the 13th century. It was seized by Henry VIII during the Reformation of the 1500s and converted into a luxurious home, whilst retaining many of the Abbey’s original features, such as the cloisters on the ground floor. Both the Abbey and the village have been extraordinarily well preserved, resulting in both being used for innumerable film and TV projects, including the Harry Potter series, and period dramas such as the 1995 BBC ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Lark Rise to Candleford’, amongst the many others.
Lacock Abbey Cloisters
- For lovers of English country estates, the Bowood Estate is just a few minutes to the east of Lacock, about 30 minutes from Bath in total. This privately owned house and estate provides sumptuous walks through parkland, woodland, alongside lakes, and past waterfalls and grottos, making it an ideal destination from Spring through to Autumn. However, alongside a fascinating historic house, and grand estate, it is also home to a children’s adventure playground with swings, slides, sandpits, an almost life-size pirate ship and an impressive high ropes climbing frame with swing bridges, look-out posts and slides. For families with younger children, it’s the perfect day out for both parents and kids!
Bowood House
4. Visit the Bath Abbey
The stunning Bath Abbey is a must-see attraction in Bath. Children can take part in the Abbey trail, which involves solving clues and learning about the abbey’s history.
Bath Abbey
5. Museums in Bath
Bath has a plethora of small, but fascinating museums that kids will love. For older children interested in literature and history, a trip to the Jane Austen Centre, and the recently opened Mary Shelly ‘House of Frankenstein’ are well worth a visit. No 1. Royal Crescent is a perfectly restored Georgian townhouse, designed to look as it did when it was first finished, in the late 1700s. Other fascinating but intimate museums in Bath include the Bath Museum of Architecture, the Bath at Work Museum, and the Herschel Museum - the house where William Herschell on lovers will enjoy visiting the Fashion Museum, which displays a collection of fashionable clothing from the past 400 years. There are also workshops and events on offer.
Jane Austen Centre
6. Discover Stonehenge
Stonehenge is one of the most iconic prehistoric monuments in the world and is only an hour’s drive from Bath. Embark on a trip to see the mysterious stone circle. Visit Stonehenge on a shared or private tour.
Stonehenge Circle
7. Visit Longleat Safari Park
Longleat is a popular safari park near Bath that offers a wide range of animal experiences from feeding giraffes to watching sea lions perform. Children will love the Adventure Castle and Adventure Park.
Longleat House & Grounds
8. Explore Bristol
Bristol is a vibrant city and only a 20-minute train journey from Bath. The city offers museums, art galleries and the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge. Check out the Visit Bristol website to see what's going on.
Clifton Suspension Bridge
9. Go on a Boat Trip
There are many boat tours on the River Avon through Bath city centre. This is a great way to explore Bath with the children, where they can see sights like the Pulteney Bridge, Weir and Bathwick Hill.
Pulteney Weir
10. Discover Wells
Wells is the smallest city in England and is located a short distance from Bath city centre. The city’s highlights include the beautiful cathedral, moat walkway and the Bishops Palace.
Wells Cathedral & Bishops Palace
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bath is a city with a rich history, stunning architecture, beautiful parks, and grand estates that provide a range of activities and attractions for families. From the well-preserved ancient Roman Baths to the grand estates surrounding Bath, families can explore the city's history, culture, and literature. Bath's numerous museums, parks, festivals, and events offer a range of activities and experiences for all ages, making it an ideal destination for families looking to spend quality time together. With its proximity to Stonehenge and Longleat Safari Park, families can also explore the wider region around Bath. Overall, Bath is a destination that offers a perfect balance of culture, nature, and entertainment for families.
Warmest regards,
Jules Mittra and the team.
